Summary

• Shazam's deep hatred for Black Adam is revealed, showing a darker side to his character.
• Black Adam's journey from villain to hero has not been easy, despite his efforts to reform.
• Shazam needs to move on from his hatred towards Black Adam, who has proven his intentions are good.

Warning: contains spoilers for Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1!

Black Adam goes too far. The relationship between Shazam and Black Adam remains tense, despite the latter’s shift towards anti-hero status. Shazam suffered at Black Adam’s hands in the past, and he has not forgiven and not forgotten. Now, in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1, Shazam shows a darker side, revealing how deep his hatred for Black Adam runs.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1 is written by Leah Williams and drawn by Caitlin Yarsky. Amanda Waller, seeking the power of Rock of Eternity, dispatches one of her new Amazo-inspired robots to find it. The Amazo unit finds its way to the Rock, where it attacks Billy and Mary. Black Adam arrives, fighting the Amazo robot. Mary wants to help Adam, but Billy refuses. Billy tells Mary Adam is merely here to protect the Rock of Eternity’s power, and not them.

Billy feels if Amazo and Adam destroyed each other, it would be a win-win.

Black Adam's Road to Redemption Has Not Been An Easy One

Shazam Has Been a Stumbling Block for Black Adam

The first champion of the wizard Shazam, Black Adam has gone from a one-off villain to one of DC’s premiere anti-heroes. Black Adam made only one comic appearance during the Golden Age, but it was enough to leave an impression on a generation who revived the character in the 1970s. Subsequent generations of creators have tapped into Black Adam’s potential, even going as far as to attempt to rehabilitate him. Black Adam ed the Justice League before they disbanded, bringing his journey from villain to hero complete.

When Black Adam ed the Justice Society during Geoff Johns’ celebrated 2000s run, Shazam did not believe Adam was sincere, and ed the team to keep an eye on him.

While Shazam openly wishing for harm to befall Black Adam, even after he has reformed, might seem shocking. However, Billy had never given Black Adam the benefit of the doubt. This is not a new development either. When Black Adam ed the Justice Society during Geoff Johns’ celebrated 2000s run, Shazam did not believe Adam was sincere, and ed the team to keep an eye on him. Adam never turned on the JSA, but did leave the team on a bad note nonetheless, which may have seemed to confirm some of Shazam’s concerns.

Shazam Needs to Learn to Move On From His Hatred of Black Adam

Black Adam Has Proven His Intentions Are Good

Since departing the Justice Society, Black Adam has maintained his reputation for brutality, but he has done nothing to justify Shazam’s persisting hatred. Black Adam may have very well been there to only protect the Rock of Eternity. Shazam, too, is responsible for the Rock, giving him and Black Adam common ground, even if he is too blinded by his hatred to realize it. Whether Shazam will it it or not, he and Black Adam are on the same side for now, and wishing for harm to come to him is going too far.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1 is on sale now from DC Comics!